“They said there’s nothing?”

Jeremy became enraged upon hearing the knight’s words.

“Your Highness, they spoke with certainty that there was nothing. Even when we searched the mansion earlier, nothing was visible…”

“You dare call that pathetic excuse an explanation?”

Jeremy roughly grabbed the collar of the knight who had reported.

The knight instinctively furrowed his brow when faced with Jeremy’s expression.

“Look at me properly. Who is your lord! It is I! Not that worthless dog of a b****!”

“Your Highness…”

“You didn’t even search the mansion properly and just took his word for it! How dare you!”

Jeremy appeared visibly unstable at a glance.

He wasn’t like this before his face was ruined.

Unlike his previous composure, Jeremy now exuded a sense of urgency.

At that moment, Jeremy swiftly drew the sword from the knight’s waist.

And with that, he struck down on the knight’s neck.

Slash-

Blood spurted in all directions, splattering even on the armor of the surrounding knights.

“Urgh!”

The knight clutched his neck, looking up at Jeremy with resentful eyes.

To think years of loyal service would end in such a futile death.

Soon, the knight’s body went limp.

The servants watching nearby were struck with shock.

“Now then, let’s hear if the rest of you have any proper excuses.”

“Your Highness!”

At that moment, the advisor hurriedly grabbed Jeremy’s wrist.

“Your Highness, you must keep your wits about you, especially at times like this. Perhaps we should seek help from Her Majesty the Empress…”

At those words, Jeremy’s maddened eyes turned towards the advisor.

“I have no such thing as a mother.”

“…”

“What happened to the knight named Ben? Why is there still no news of him?”

Jeremy shook off the advisor’s hand and threw the sword he was holding to the floor.

Clang!

A sharp sound echoed through the corridor.

Today alone, two people had died by Jeremy’s hand.

There was growing opposition to Jeremy among the knights and within the imperial palace.

If the events within the palace were to spread outside, Jeremy’s position would become even more precarious.

Unlike his father, they thought he was smart, but now he seemed completely insane.

The advisor was conflicted about whether to switch sides even now.

However, Jeremy was the only one with royal blood, and the Empress had the powerful backing of House Gredrick.

While seriously pondering what to do, several knights who had gone outside returned from the far end of the corridor.

“Your Highness! We have found the knight named Ben. He was discovered in a deserted alley near the harbor.”

Jeremy’s purple eyes, visible between his melted skin, flashed.

“Did you capture him alive?”

“He was already dead when we found him. He had been killed, attacked by someone… And we found this in the corpse’s hand.”

The knight produced a gleaming red ruby from his breast.

“Anything else?”

“We searched thoroughly, even inside the sleeves, but found nothing besides this ruby.”

Jeremy examined the red ruby.

Whether by coincidence or not, ruby happened to be Erphia’s favorite gemstone.

Though his blood was boiling, Jeremy spoke calmly, trying to suppress his anger.

“Investigate the origin of this ruby thoroughly.”

“Yes, sir.”

Thud.

Dietrich set down a basket of food on the table.

The basket was filled with red cherries, fruit, freshly baked egg tarts, and fresh milk.

Watching this, Celiya asked Dietrich:

“How do you plan to deal with the aftermath?”

“…”

“If the Crown Prince finds out you lied about me not being here, he won’t let you off easy.”

Wordlessly, Dietrich placed a cherry in Celiya’s mouth.

Chewing on the cherry, Celiya stared at Dietrich blankly.

“Are you worried about me right now?”

Celiya answered immediately.

“Yes.”

Dietrich’s hand, which had been plucking cherry stems one by one to hand her the fruit, paused for a moment.

“…Worry about yourself first. I have everything under control.”

As if trying to silence Celiya, he held several cherries to her lips.

Instead of asking about his thoughts, Celiya ate the cherries offered to her mouth.

The red, soft cherries melted and disappeared in Celiya’s mouth.

“You look just like a bird eating seeds.”

Dietrich chuckled. Yet his hands remained busy plucking cherries.

Feeling a bit awkward eating alone, Celiya asked him:

“Aren’t you going to eat?”

“I don’t need to eat.”

Celiya took an egg tart from the basket and brought it to his lips.

Dietrich slowly closed and opened his eyes as he spoke.

“I don’t particularly like sweet things.”

“Then, how about trying to like them from now on?”

“People can survive on minimal food. So whether sweet or bitter, it’s all the same to me.”

Celiya thought that Dietrich’s words might not just be about food, but his outlook on life.

She didn’t insist further. It didn’t feel right to force him to eat if he didn’t want to.

Taking a bite of the egg tart she had brought to Dietrich’s lips, she said:

“You’re just like a monk. You’re not going to suddenly disappear when I open my eyes, are you?”

“No, rather, you’re too carefree.”

“Being anxious won’t improve the situation.”

“…”

“And why should I be anxious when you’re here?”

At those words, Dietrich stopped what he was doing and looked down at Celiya quietly.

Her image was reflected in his calm, red eyes.

“You.”

Dietrich, who had called her, reached out towards Celiya.

His large hand rubbed her lips. More precisely, the crumbs on her lips.

“Don’t trust anyone in this palace, including me. Understand?”

Dietrich’s words were strange. It was as if he was genuinely worried about her.

“No, I’ve decided to trust you.”

To be precise, she had decided to half-trust him.

When he tells her everything, then she could trust him completely.

Dietrich’s eyes clouded. He leaned towards Celiya, who was sitting in the chair.

“Why? Because I accepted the test you gave me without any fuss?”

“Don’t call it a test. It was just a simple kiss.”

At Celiya’s words, Dietrich seemed a little angry.

Furrowing his brows, Dietrich continued:

“Simple? Do you usually kiss just anyone like that? To choose kissing as a way to test someone.”

Celiya couldn’t understand why Dietrich was angry at all.

Having lost her appetite, Celiya set down the egg tart she had been eating on the table and asked back:

“Why are you so angry?”

Dietrich didn’t answer. Dark shadows fell across his frowning face.

“You’re not just anyone.”

“…”

“I am your master, aren’t I? You said yourself that you gave me your leash.”

Despite being able to kill her, he didn’t, and he appeared to save her every time she was in danger.

Because he was the only man who didn’t look at her with desire, that’s why she had to test him that way.

“Was kissing me that unpleasant? You were the one who tried to test me first.”

It was him who handed her a dagger and told her to stab him.

“You said you’d even give me your ability if needed, so what’s the problem? It’s not a losing deal for you, is it?”

For a moment, a faint sadness flashed across Dietrich’s face.

Celiya couldn’t understand why Dietrich was sad.

He was the one who tried to use her first, yet he looked at her with a face as if he had been hurt.

The sadness that shadowed his face disappeared in the blink of an eye, so Celiya couldn’t be sure if she had seen it correctly or not.

Dietrich, who had already returned to a dry expression, spoke in an icily cold voice:

“Yes. You’re right.”

“…”

“A deal, nothing more, nothing less. But…”

Trailing off, Dietrich smoothed a strand of hair that had stuck to Celiya’s cheek.

“Even if it’s temporary, value your life. Don’t make me lose the desire to protect you.”

With those final words, Dietrich turned and left the room.

Celiya thought as she looked at the closed door.

That Dietrich was not a bad man at all.

Compared to Ileon who ruined people’s faces without a care, he was an angel.

She didn’t know what untold circumstances he had, but he must have complex reasons just like herself.

‘Except for my kingdom, the only country with abilities was the allied Inata Principality.’

Try as she might not to be curious, she became curious about him.

His casual actions and touches devoid of desire made her feel at ease.

-Don’t trust anyone in this palace, including me.

Even though she knew she shouldn’t.

Strangely, she found herself wanting to trust him.

Celiya closed her eyes while half-sitting on the chair.

She tried eating a cherry from the table, but it no longer tasted of anything.

The palace where Ileon was staying.

“Your Majesty, what’s wrong? Why do you look so urgent?”

“Duke!”

Erphia clutched Ileon’s sleeve tightly as if it were a lifeline.

“Things have gone terribly wrong. Ben betrayed me and poisoned Jeremy instead of that girl!”

“Ah…”

Ileon feigned a look of regret.

“I just met with His Highness earlier, and his face was in a terrible state.”

“Why, why would Ben do such a thing? Why would someone who has followed me for over 20 years betray me? Jeremy firmly believes that I ruined his face! All the circumstances point to me. Don’t you think this is strange too, Duke?”

Ileon offered tea to Erphia, who was speaking without taking a breath.

“Your Majesty, please calm down first. Shall we talk over a cup of chamomile tea? There’s no better tea for soothing the mind.”

Erphia nodded and sat down.

Ileon personally poured the tea and handed it to Erphia.

“Someone must be trying to frame me! I’m asking this just in case…”

Erphia’s suspicious gaze turned towards Ileon.

“You’re not the culprit, are you…”

“Empress.”

Ileon cut off Erphia’s words.

“How long have I been working for Your Majesty, and now you suspect even me just because that Ben fellow betrayed you? I’m quite offended.”

Ileon stood up with a disgruntled expression.

Erphia hurriedly grabbed the hem of his clothes as he rose.

“I spoke out of confusion. Duke, please forgive my rudeness just now.”

“…”

Ileon reluctantly sat down. Relieved, Erphia took a sip of chamomile tea and continued:

“It doesn’t seem like Ben could have planned this alone. I have no idea who the culprit could be.”

“…I think I know who the culprit is.”

Erphia’s eyes widened, urging him to answer.

“Who?”